So far, things haven’t worked out so well for the NIU wrestling team in MAC competition.

NIU is 0-2 in the conference heading into tonight’s meet against Eastern Michigan at the Convocation Center. The Huskies lost a close dual meet against Ohio, 23-22 on Jan. 15, and lost at No. 24 Kent State on Jan. 24.

“It’d be a good momentum builder for us,” said NIU head coach Dave Grant. “The thing that were really keying on is just being aggressive. Going out and taking shots and scoring points.”
Like the Huskies, Eastern Michigan is also 0-2 heading into Friday’s matchup.

“Every dual meet is a must win, especially in the MAC,” said NIU wrestler Scott Penny, who will take on Eastern Michigan’s John McClure in the 197 pound match. “We had some different things that didn’t work out the way we wanted them to.”

Last season, NIU defeated Eastern Michigan 16-15 in Ypsilanti, Mich.

One of the key matchups tonight will be at 133 pounds, with NIU’s Tristen DeShazer taking on Eastern Michigan’s Sean Clair. DeShazer leads NIU with 15 pins on the season.

It’s also a rare home meet for the Huskies. It’s only the third home meet for NIU this season and the second one at the Convocation Center. NIU’s meet on Dec. 13 was held at Sycamore High School.

“It’s nice to not travel and have that kind of stress where you’re missing classes and have to sit on a bus,” Penny said. “It’s nice being home where you can be better prepared.”

After tonight, NIU will only have two more dual meets — Feb. 15 against Central Michigan (the home finale) and Feb. 21 at Buffalo. The MAC Championships are March 7 in Ypsilanti, Mich., with the NCAA Championships March 19-21 in St. Louis.

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